Lightning-rod terminal.



G. E. THOMPSON.

LIGHTNING ROD TERMiNAL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 19. 1912'.

1,150,907. Patented Aug. 24, 1915.

. r gs is it i l GEORGE E. THOMPSON, 03$ QiVRflFONNA, IVIXNNESQTA.

Mauritius-s n frEZtlvIIrieL.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, GEORGE E. Tnozursou, of Owatonna, Steel county, lliiinnesota, ha e invented certain new and useful improvements in Lightning Rod Terminals, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a lightning rod terminal which. will conduct a. heavy charge into the ground.

A. further object is to provide i'neans for keeping the soil moist around the rod, thus insuring a good connection between he earth and the rod.

A further object is to provide means which will prevent the water in the terminal from rising therein above the frost line.

Gther objects of the invention will appear from the following detailed description.

My invention consist generally in various constructions and combinations, all as l16I6- inafter described and particularly pointed out in the claim.

in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a view illustrating the application of my invention to a building, with the terminal sunk down in the ground the desired depth, Fig. 2 is detail view, showing the terminal in section, Fig. is a View, in full lines, of the same, showing the overflow device.

In the drawing, 2 represents the building on which a conducting cable or rod 3, preferably of copper, is mounted. in the usual way.

4 is a section of tubing inclosing the cable and secured by clips 5 or other suitable means to the wall of the house, and having a funnel 6 at its open upper end. This tube forms a casing for the cable and protects it from corrosion at the point where it on ters the ground and also acts as a shield or guard to prevent the cable from being broken or tampered with, either intentionally or unintentionally. The cable collects more or less moisture from the building conducts it down to the tube a from whence it flows to the reservoir beneath. The funnelalso collects considerable moisture and allow the reservoir to be filled from a pail indry weather. Furthermore, the tube coneeals the cable at the point where it enters the ground and for a distance above the ground and presents a neat, finished appearance to the building. A section of tubing 2" telescopeswith the section 4 and a set screw specification of Letters Patent. Patented A3119. 554i, 1915a Application filed January 19, 1912. Serial 1%. 672,123.

8 is provided at the junction of the sections of tubing and engages the cable, as indicated in Fig. 2, securely clamping the cable and tubing together.

At the lower end of the tube 7 is an overflow device formed by providing a series of holes 9 in the walls of the tube and then surrounding the tube with a screen 10 of comparatively fine mesh, and outside of the screen. providing a perforated sleeve 11. lhis overflow is of suitable length and is located below the :trost line. The double walls of the verliow serve to prevent clogging, which is found to be a serious objection to the ordinary overflow device in terminals of thi kind. Below the overflow the tube 7 extends for a considerable distance and is connected with a tapered point or terminal 12 that is adapted to fit on the lower end of the tube 7 and contacts with the end of the cable. The wall of the tubing 7 between the point and the overflow being closed, it is evident that the lower end of the cable will be immersed in water and in connection with the metallic point will form a good contact with the soil and act as a perfect grounding for the cable. in case the water rises too high in the tube 7 it will overflow through the holes 9 and moisten the earth around the tube and keep the soil around the terminal in a moistened condition.

With this apparatus the cable is positively and thoroughly grounded. The tunnel section of the tubing not only insures the pro tection of the cable, but provides for a con-- stant supply of water in the reservoir beneath, while the overflow insures a moist condition. of the soil around. the terminal at all times.

prefer to sinlr the terminalinto the ground to a depth of ten feet, as l have found this position of the terminal insures the best results.

I claim as my invention lightning rod terminal comprising a hollow point adapted to be driven into the ground, a tube mounted on said point, a cable fitting within said tube and extending down into said point and having means for clamping it within said tube, said tube having an overflow in its lower portion near said point and below the normal frost line and including a series of holes in the walls of said tube, a tubular screen of comparatiirely fine mesh inclosing said tube and said In witness whereof, I have hereunto set holes, and a perforated outer sleeve em'irmy hand this 10th day of January, 1912.

clin said tube and coverin said meslm-aid 1* '1 r e 3 w T cabl e extending through sai ll overflow, there G'EORGL EH0 M1 being suflicient space between said cable and \Vitnesses:

the Walls of said tube to allow the overflow J 01% B. CHRISTGAN,

of water in said tube to enter said holes. FRANK L. BRYAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

